During the long summer months before New Student Orientation in far-off September, there’s still plenty to do if you’re an accepted student. Of course, we also hope you have plenty of fun during your break from school too!
When you’re ready to get things done on your accepted student checklist, here are the most important things you can work on to be ready for PUC this fall:
Pay your enrollment fee & fill out a housing form. Start here! You will need to pay a $200 enrollment fee before registering for classes, as well as submit a housing form. You can do both at puc.edu/reserve.
Apply for PUC scholarships. If you haven’t already, check out what scholarships PUC offers. There’s still plenty of time to write those essays! See a full list of PUC scholarships at puc.edu/scholarships.
Make financial arrangements. Your financial counselor will help build a financial aid package that meets your family’s need and fits your budget. If you haven’t already, submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used to help determine your aid eligibility. Get started at fafsa.gov.
Register for classes. You will work with an academic advisor to come up with your perfect (or relatively close to perfect!) class schedule. This advisor will be in the department you’re planning to study in, so they’ll know the ins and outs of your program. Feel free to ask lots of questions!
Submit your health forms. Turning in your health forms before you get to campus will only make your future life easier. Find the forms at puc.edu/healthservices.
Note: If you have 10 minutes, you can use PUC’s net price calculator to get a preliminary estimate of how much aid you may qualify for while you wait to talk with your financial counselor. Visit puc.edu/npc to use the calculator now.
If you have any questions while working on these items, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Admissions office by email at admissions@puc.edu or through our 800 number at (800) 862-7080, option 2. Our team of counselors is happy to help guide you through the process of getting ready for school in the fall!
Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions of your life. Like most seniors, you will likely apply to a variety of colleges before deciding where you plan to spend the next four years. It can be a lot to keep track of, and each college can have a slightly different process. Here are five of the most commonly asked questions during PUC’s admissions process. Reach out to PUC’s team of admissions counselors if you have additional questions or need clarification on anything!
Is there an application fee?
No! Our application is always free and can be found online at puc.edu/apply. It’s simple and should take less than 10 minutes to fill out.
What are PUC’s admissions requirements?
For first-time college students (aka incoming freshmen), you need to submit the following:
Send in your transcripts; unofficial copies are fine, but you will need to eventually submit an official copy, showing graduation
Have secondary-school (high school) graduation, or its equivalent, with an unweighted core GPA of at least 2.5
For more information about admissions requirements, visit puc.edu/admissions.
Does PUC require test scores?
A little different than most state and public schools, we don’t require test scores for admission for first-time college students, with the exception being for admission on academic probation and for international students.
The only real deadline for submitting test scores is the first day of school, as they are required to begin classes. However, waiting until then to submit your scores can impact what classes you’re able to register for, as test scores are used for placement into Math and English classes. This could also negatively impact how much financial aid you qualify for since PUC’s merit scholarships are based on either GPA or test scores. The sooner you send in your test scores, the better! You might even consider retaking the ACT or SAT.
For transfer students, test scores are only required for students who have not successfully taken the equivalent to College Algebra or English 101.
PUC accepts both the ACT and the SAT. PUC’s school codes are 0362 (ACT) and 4600 (SAT).
How long does it take to receive a decision letter?
As soon as we receive the necessary documents, your application will be reviewed for acceptance. If you are accepted, you will receive an email within 1-2 days, with an official letter following in the mail several days later.
What can I do once I’m accepted?
Celebrate! You deserve to be proud of your accomplishment. Then, it’s time to get back to work, doing all sorts of fun things like submitting your health forms, registering for your fall classes, finalizing your housing plans, and getting financially cleared. Visit puc.edu/alreadyaccepted and talk with your admissions counselor to see what you can start working on once you’re accepted.
We have a team of five amazing admissions counselors ready to help you throughout the application process with any questions that you have along the way. Call (800) 862-7080, option 2 or email admissions@puc.edu to get connected with one now!
Please join us in welcoming Kharolynn Pascual Smith to our admissions team! Kharolynn has many years of experience in Adventist education and has worked as a teacher, registrar, and academic advisor. Most recently, she worked at the Napa Christian Campus of Education and the Office of Education at the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
To help introduce her to our PUC family, let’s get to know Kharolynn!
You have a lot of experience in the education field. How do you think that will translate into being a great transfer student counselor?
There are obvious parallels to the skillset I used as a teacher and registrar, such as knowing how to create and execute plans and analyze a transcript. Beyond that, I have a heart for students and believe cultivating relationships is key in helping them succeed. Taking the time to know about a student’s history and goals was critical for me to be able to facilitate learning opportunities and understand what resources were needed. I see this as a valuable component to working with transfer students. There’s a story behind why they’re not coming to PUC straight out of high school, and whatever it is, I want to be a helpful resource as they transition to this step in their educational journey.
You’ve lived in the Napa area for a while. What is your favorite place to eat in the area? Favorite place to shop? Favorite place to relax?
There is so much great food across the valley, it’s hard to pick only one! My go-to in Napa is Il Posto Trattoria—tasty food, friendly and professional service, and I don’t have to save up for months to eat there.
I enjoy the adventure of discovering fun stuff I didn’t know I “needed” at HomeGoods, as well as the convenience of online shopping from home.
Getting a facial at Glow Skin & Body Care is quite lovely and relaxing.
What advice would you give to someone questioning whether a college education is worth it?
I would talk to them about their passion and purpose, then encourage them to pursue the education that would put them on the path to fulfilling those. I think education of any kind is an investment in yourself, so whatever type is necessary to cultivate the knowledge, skills, and experience to prepare you for whatever you are called to do is worth it.
What are you looking forward to the most working at PUC?
I find it both personally and professionally gratifying to contribute to a person’s success story, even in a small way. I have witnessed as many types of success as there are students, and I love seeing their satisfaction and pride when they accomplish what they set out to do. I’m excited to be part of the network of support that helps students live their dreams.
What inspires you to work in the field of Adventist education?
I’m biased, but I believe Adventist education is the most important and impactful ministry of the SDA Church. In her book Education, Ellen White wrote, “Love, the basis of creation and of redemption, is the basis of true education.” (16) I’m inspired by the Gospel of Grace and feel privileged to participate in a global learning community that values the importance of “true education.” Ideally, Adventist education fosters whole person development within the framework of redemption—the restoration of humanity to what God created us to be: in a love relationship with Him that motivates us to share His love with others. That relationship informs every aspect of the life we choose to lead—values, relationships, beliefs, career— because of the way God calls us to live: to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Adventist education at its best helps prepare students for this life of discipleship.
What was the last book you read?
I often have a few books going at the same time, but recently finished The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, and End-Time Events and The Last Generation by George R. Knight. Both of them have ideas I’m still pondering.
What book would you recommend to a college student? It can be educational or just a good read.
The teacher in me wants to recommend something edifying, but for an escapist brain break, I like fiction that ranges from David Baldacci’s thrillers to Jodi Picoult’s novels exploring contemporary ethical issues. Perhaps the compromise is biographies and memoirs because I’ve usually gleaned something valuable from the life experiences of others, whether or not they are people I admire.
What was your favorite class in college?
College was more than a few years ago for me, so I primarily remember favorite professors even though I wouldn’t count some of their classes among my favorites. Religion and Society from Charles Teel (a PUC alum!) made a lasting impression on me in terms of my understanding of what Christians are called to be and do in the world.
What’s something people may be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a procrastinator by nature, but I’ve learned the necessary disciplines of effective time management and organization. I used to tell my students those were among the most valuable life skills they could learn and I was living proof it is possible.
What are some of your hobbies?
I appreciate hobbies that involve creativity of some kind, like music, theatre, baking, and fiber crafts. It’s a bonus if they can be combined in some way. I also occasionally binge-watch Netflix.
If you’re interested in transferring to PUC, Kharolynn is ready to assist you! Call (800) 862-7080, option 2 or email admissions@puc.edu to get connected with her now, or to learn more about the transfer admissions process.
